Attitudes, beliefs, and behavior toward shoulder injury prevention in elite handball: Fertile ground for implementation

Abstract

We aimed to examine attitudes, beliefs, and current behavior toward risk factors and prevention of shoulder injuries, and to investigate the application of an exercise program during a cluster‐randomized controlled trial aiming to prevent shoulder injuries in elite handball. All captains and coaches of 44 elite handball teams (22 male and 22 female) constituting the intervention (21 teams) and control arm (n = 23 teams) in the trial were invited to take part in a survey. A questionnaire, based on the Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework, addressing the end user perspective on risk factors and prevention of shoulder injuries, as well as key issues related to the application of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC) Shoulder Injury Prevention Programme, was distributed using electronic survey software. The response rate was 100%. Overall, the majority of coaches (84%) and captains (89%) believed that handball players are at high risk for shoulder injuries. All delivery agents in the trial reported to be familiar with the exercise program and the majority believed in a preventative effect (coaches 90% and captains 81%). Only a minority reported full compliance with the recommended frequency (coaches 29%, captains 14%), with program being too time‐consuming (coaches 67%, captains 81%) and lack of player motivation (coaches 76%, captains 62%) as the main barriers. Our results suggest that there is fertile ground for implementation of the OSTRC Shoulder Injury Prevention Programme in elite handball, with program length and lack of player motivation as the main barriers to overcome.

Does an effective shoulder injury prevention program affect risk factors in handball? A randomized controlled study

“…Although the OSTRC shoulder injury prevention program is an effective program, 9 player compliance remains a challenge, as the program is time consuming 17 . This study demonstrated that the program does not affect the risk factors, ER strength, and IR ROM.…”

“…The study demonstrated 28% lower risk of shoulder problems in the intervention group than in the control group. However, despite of the effect on shoulder problems, only 24% of the athletes and 28% of the coaches reported that they would continue using the program 17 . Their main concern was that the program was too time consuming.…”

Étude sur la perception des blessures par les athlètes et leurs influences sur la réalisation de mesures de prévention des blessures en athlétisme

“…Plusieurs études qualitatives [17] , [18] ont montré que les sportifs croyaient que les programmes de prévention des blessures pouvaient diminuer l’incidence de celles-ci. Notre travail confirme cette tendance puisque tous les athlètes étaient d’accord avec cette proposition « Je pense qu’un programme de prévention des blessures diminuerait la survenue de celles-ci ».…”

“…À partir de la littérature basée sur l’analyse du ressenti des sportifs vis-à-vis des blessures, nous avons élaboré notre propre questionnaire [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] . Deux médecins du sport, un chercheur en psychologie du sport et de la santé, un entraîneur d’athlétisme et une psychologue ont participé à sa réalisation.…”

“…Plusieurs existent déjà et ont rapporté dans le cadre d’essais randomisés contrôlés une diminution de l’incidence des blessures [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] . Il a également été démontré que la majorité des athlètes et des staffs connaissait ces programmes et croyait en son effet préventif [17] , [18] , mais qu’en pratique leur réalisation était limitée, notamment par un manque de temps et de motivation [19] . Une étude qualitative publiée en 2019, ciblant des sportifs d’élite de toute discipline, s’est axée sur le ressenti des blessures par l’athlète et a souligné que la prévention était un processus d’apprentissage basé sur les expériences personnelles [20] .…”